Pakistan’s morale remains high despite a narrow defeat in the first Test against South Africa. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha emphasized the team’s learning experience and their confidence heading into the second Test at Newlands. The stark contrasts in pitch conditions and a strong performance from pacer Mohammad Abbas were highlighted as critical factors for success in the upcoming match.
CAPE TOWN: Despite suffering a narrow defeat in the first Test against South Africa, Pakistan’s morale remains resilient, according to all-rounder Salman Ali Agha. The team faced a challenging situation in Centurion, where they nearly toppled the hosts, reducing South Africa to 99-8 while chasing a modest target of 148 runs. The late resurgence by Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada led South Africa to victory, securing their place in the World Test Championship final.
Looking towards the second Test scheduled to begin at Newlands, Pakistan aims for a decisive victory. The team views their ability to push the match to the wire in Centurion as a positive takeaway, especially as they previously concluded the One-day International series against South Africa with a resounding 3-0 triumph. “It was a great game; it could go anywhere,” remarked Salman during a press conference. He acknowledged the critical moments they missed but stated, “We have learnt from our mistakes and we’ll look to do better.”
As the team prepares for Newlands, Salman has noted a stark contrast in pitch conditions compared to Centurion. The pitch at Newlands appears less conducive to seamers but should favor spinners, thus altering the dynamics of play. He remarked, “It looks like a different pitch from Centurion; there’s less grass here,” indicating the anticipated strategy for the upcoming match.
Salman also expressed admiration for Mohammad Abbas, who returned to the Test squad after a three-year hiatus and performed exceptionally well, taking six wickets in the match. His ability to make crucial breakthroughs was instrumental, especially as he ended a significant partnership that could have shifted the momentum away from Pakistan. “He is very accurate, he knows what he is doing,” Salman praised, recognizing Abbas’s skill and experience.
The first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa was held at Centurion Park, where Pakistan put forth a commendable effort but ultimately faced defeat. The competitive nature of the match, where Pakistan almost emerged victorious by significantly weakening the South African batting line-up, sheds light on the team’s potential despite their overall struggles in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The insights provided by Salman Ali Agha reflect the team’s determination to build upon their experience from the recent match and their success in the preceding One-day International series, reaffirming their aspirations for the upcoming encounter at Newlands.
In summary, while Pakistan experienced disappointment in their recent Test match against South Africa, the team remains optimistic and focused on their objectives moving forward. Salman Ali Agha’s comments emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes, maintaining high morale, and adjusting strategies based on changing pitch conditions. With a strong performance anticipated from Mohammad Abbas and the confidence gained from previous successes, Pakistan aims to secure a victory in the next Test at Newlands.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
